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Fire Prevention

Chimneys and Flue Pipes
Posted on: February 20, 2022 - 12:08pm
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February 20, 2022 (Chesapeake Beach, MD)- The North Beach Volunteer Fire Department (NBVFD) reminds everyone to have their chimneys and flue pipes inspected annually and to monitor wood stove temperatures frequently.

On 2/19/2022 units from Co. 1, 5, 6, 2, 7, 9 (AA) and the NDC were alerted for a house fire in Chesapeake Beach. Chief 1 (Mills) arrived with fire and smoke showing from the house around the chimney area, all occupants out of the house and established command. Crews entered the structure under the direction of Chief 6A (Thrasher), designated “Operations” by Command and found fire in the walls surrounding the chimney on the first and second floors. They aggressively opened the walls in the area of the flue pipe and rapidly extinguished all fire. Crews were on scene for approximately one hour. No injuries are reported and the occupants are being assisted by the Red Cross (Source North Beach Volunteer Fire Department). 

Quick Fire Safety Tips: 

Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to contain wood-fuel fires while providing heat for a home. Chimneys expel the by-products of combustion that include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances leave the fireplace or wood stove, and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote.   

What is creosote? Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky—tar-like, drippy and sticky—or shiny and hardened. All forms are highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities, and the internal flue temperature is high enough, the result could be a chimney fire.

Conditions that cause the buildup of creosote: Restricted air supply and unseasoned wood encourage the buildup of creosote.

To avoid that buildup do not restrict the air supply:

  • By closing the glass doors.
  • By failing to open the damper wide enough. The longer the smoke is in the flue, the more likely is it that creosote will form.
  • By closing down the stove damper or air inlets on a wood stove too soon or too much.

Do not burn unseasoned wood: So much energy is used initially just to drive off the water trapped in the cells of the logs that it keeps the resulting smoke cooler than if seasoned wood is used.

In the case of wood stoves, overloading the firebox with wood in an attempt to get a longer burn time also contributes to creosote buildup.

Fireplace safety:

  • Keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace to prevent embers or sparks jumping out.
  • Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
  • Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
  • Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 3 feet from your home.

Wood stove safety:

  • Make sure your stove is 3 feet from anything that can burn.
  • Do not burn paper in your wood stove.
  • Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.

For more information and free resources, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/.

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